The first time I picked up a Larabar at the grocery store, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Meghan became instantly addicted, wanting to eat them for her snack every day. At $1.79 a pop, that just wasn’t going to happen. I started experimenting in the kitchen and found out that making them at home was insanely easy. She loves the Peanut Butter Cookie Bars and Cinnamon Raisin Cookie Bars I make for her and I personally like the homemade versions better than what you get in the store.
When my parents came for Christmas and brought all kinds of homemade goodies, including some dried bananas my dad made in his dehydrator, I knew instantly that I’d be adding a banana-flavor to my ‘Larabar’ repertoire. The flavor of these little “cookies” is incredibly similar to banana bread, but without all the sugar, butter, and flour. With only 4 ingredients, this is a healthy and delicious toddler snack!
I always used to shape my ‘Larabar’ creations into bars, just like the kind you get in the store. Then one reader commented that she cut them into a cookie shape. I gave it a try and was hooked! I can’t find the comment and don’t remember what reader it was, but I want to give a big thank you for the suggestion! If it’s you, ‘fess up and take credit! The cookie shape is perfect for little hands and makes me feel like I’m really indulging in a cookie.
Grab your ingredients! This is all you need:
Raw Banana Bread Cookies
No bake cookies for an easy and tasty snack
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 - 20 cookies 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 3/4 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup dried bananas
- 1/4 cup almonds
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until the mixture starts to form a ball and is wet-looking. You may need to scrape the sides occasionally to help incorporate everything. If you have a small blender (like a Magic Bullet) you will need to do this in batches.
- Empty the “dough” onto a piece of wax paper. Using your clean hands, press the mixture down so it is even and flat.
Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut into small cookies.
Reshape the remaining dough and continue until you’ve used it all. It takes a few minutes for them to firm up, but they are equally delicious if you eat them right away. Store on the counter in an air-tight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 20
- Calories: 64
- Sugar: 5.4g
- Sodium: 1.3g
- Fat: 3.7g
- Carbohydrates: 7.3g
- Protein: 2g
Keywords: no bake cookies
If you have a banana lover at your house, you definitely need to try this recipe. It’s such a quick and easy snack that’s great for on-the-go. An added bonus is that it’s actually a healthy snack.
INgrid says
January 13, 2011 at 7:48 pmYum! These look delicious!
Lisa says
January 14, 2011 at 8:58 amThese look so good! Do you think that Trader Joes flattened bananas would work in this recipe? The only thing I worry about is how they will do in my food processor because they are a bit hard/chewy. I’m going to give it a try. Thanks!
Maryea says
January 14, 2011 at 9:06 amI do think those would work. I was thinking of those when I decided to post this recipe because I wouldn’t want to post something that you need homemade dried bananas for. Let me know if you give it a try.
Jen says
January 14, 2011 at 12:09 pmYum…I’m definitely trying these! It was me who made them into cookie shapes, but don’t give me too much credit! I was being lazy and it was easier to do…I “pattied” them instead of cutouts…great idea!
Maryea says
January 16, 2011 at 6:57 pmThanks again for the idea! I love them in the cookie shape.
Lisa @ Thrive Style says
January 14, 2011 at 3:24 pmThat looks great! I will definitely try it. I’m a fan of larabars…but I try not to buy them very often because I always tell myself I could make it at home!
Lisa says
January 15, 2011 at 11:00 pmIt worked, Maryea! They were delicious and my family has been snacking on them all day. I used the TJ’s flattened banana. The only thing is I did have to add a couple tsp. of water to the mixture in my food processor. Otherwise, they turned out great. And, I used a heart shaped cookie cutter. Thanks for the recipe.
Maryea says
January 16, 2011 at 6:51 pmI bet they were cute with a heart shaped cookie cutter! Glad to hear I’ll still be able to make these after my supply of my dad’s dried bananas runs out. 🙂
Stephanie says
January 16, 2011 at 1:32 amWe just got the equipment to be able to make these at home over Christmas! We’ve wanted to make some at home but stock-piled on Larabars @ home during a sale and are still eating through the stash! (Our kids LOVE them too!)
I’m going to be making these for sure!!
Maryea says
January 16, 2011 at 6:57 pmIsn’t life so much easier when you have the right kitchen equipment? 🙂
Meg says
January 16, 2011 at 11:05 amI stumbled across your blog yesterday while looking for a healthy veggie alphabet soup (loved the recipe, making it later today!). I have been digging around through the archives and have found so many recipes that I want to try. I’m so happy to find a resource for healthy meals that I can actually make for my family! Thank you!
Maryea says
January 16, 2011 at 6:52 pmI’m glad you found me! I hope your family enjoyed the alphabet soup. 🙂
Angie says
July 3, 2011 at 7:35 pmShould the peanuts and almonds need to be “raw” for this recipe? Do you soak your almonds before using them? I have roasted peanuts & almonds from the grocery store, and am wondering if I need to do any additional prep. Guess I could try it straight out of the cans and see what happens! 🙂
Maryea says
July 5, 2011 at 10:47 amSorry I didn’t reply to this sooner–I was unplugged for most of the weekend. Raw or roasted works. I don’t soak the almonds for this recipe. Good luck! 🙂
Danielle says
February 5, 2013 at 9:27 amDo these freeze well? I’m going to try them!
Maryea says
February 5, 2013 at 12:47 pmI have never tried freezing them, but they do keep for a long time.
abeera says
October 19, 2013 at 1:39 amAre these sticky? It is pretty hot where i live so wondering how they would fare. And are they a good option for a travel snack? My toddler loves bananas and i know she will gobble them up in seconds.
Maryea says
October 25, 2013 at 6:38 amThey are sticky, but I think they’d be a good travel snack. They are sticky the way a Larabar is sticky. I haven’t made these in a while, so thanks for the reminder–they are one of my faves! 🙂